Historical and Political Background
A great deal of knowledge about the biological aspects of sex and reproduction has been available for many years. This information has not been accepted in most school curricula, even within the structure of human biology courses. School administrators have been very cautious not to stir up opponents to school participation in sex education. At one point inmy early teaching at an area suburban junior high, fifteen years ago, a transparency of the human reproductive system was removed from all copies of a new set of seventhgrade biology books. I feel that even today there is considerable apprehension by school systems about confronting adversaries of sex education in the schools. A report from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America based on the results of a Gallop Poll conducted for the White House Conference on Families showed that four out of five Americans supports sex education in the schools, but only Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia require it. Many teachers are also hesitant to teach sex education because about their own sexuality. Forcing every teacher to teach such a sensitive subject would have disastrous results for everyone involved. Our school encourages the teaching of all aspects of sexuality in order to enable our students to make informed and knowledgeable decisions about their lives.
In September of 1979 the New Haven Board of Education issued a proposed policy concerning Family Life education programs for New Haven school children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. According to the Board, “The instruction will include the emotional, physical, psychological, hygienic, human sexuality, economic and social aspects of family life.”
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The advisory committee, of which I am a member, is made up of a cross section of parents, educators, professionals, and clergy has met three times—May 13, 1980, June 17, 1980, and July 15, 1980—and is cochaired by Dr. Philip Sarrel of Yale and Dr. Jessie Bradley, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Development. Five task force committees have been established:
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1. Teacher training
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2. K4
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4. 912
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5. Family Life Education resource centers. Each task force committee will meet monthly, starting in September, 1980, to study what has been done in their respective areas and what resources are available for the development of a family life and sex education curriculum.